What can be done about cowboy clampers?

The RAC Foundation has outlined a number of rules that it wants to be imposed to stop drivers having their tyres secured by "cowboy clampers".

Director of the organisation Professor Stephen Glaister noted that the public make hundreds of phone calls with concerns about unregulated parking.

"That is parking on private land, which covers everything from the driveway in front of your house to the multi-storey car parks found at airports," he explained.

"Many drivers have had to pay large so-called penalties out of their own pockets."

Professor Glaister pointed out that many of these "cowboy clampers" go about imposing and collecting charges in an unregulated way – and urged the government to address the legal and policy issues of clamping.

The RAC Foundation is suggesting that anyone working in private parking enforcement should adhere to a binding code of conduct.

It is also calling for an independent appeals service – so if motorists find their tyres have been clamped unfairly, they can go somewhere for help.

According to research by the organisation, six per cent of the public have been clamped while parked on private land.